Page 12

Chapter Twelve

MACKENZIE

That was… okay. There was no fighting and no kissing. That kiss… wow.

When I decided to check out the bookstore, I wasn’t expecting to see Fallon, and I couldn’t hide my shock when I did.

She looked incredible in a short hunter-green dress paired with black wedge sandals. When she walked over, I did my best to play it cool—I couldn’t let her see how much she affected me.

The last thing I was expecting was for her to kiss me. She claimed every part of my mouth with that kiss. I may have lied about the kiss being anything other than amazing, but I didn’t expect that reaction from her.

A few hours later, after I showered the memory of our kiss away, I was sitting on the couch talking on the phone with Harper when I heard the fire alarm going off in the hallway.

“Shit, I gotta go. The damn fire alarm is going off. I’ll call you tomorrow,” I said as I stood up and headed for the door.

“Yeah, okay. Love you, Kenz.”

“Love you, too,” I replied and hung up.

When I opened my door, I saw Fallon closing hers. She looked at me for a second and smiled before starting down the hall.

Once we were outside, I took a spot next to her. I turned to look at her, but she wouldn’t look at me. She stood facing straight ahead.

I wondered if she was still spooked from our kiss the other night. I couldn’t blame her if she was—I was, too. I didn’t know what I was thinking; I just couldn’t take the tension anymore. I gave her the chance to say no, but when she kissed me back, everything changed. In that moment, I knew she wanted me just as much as I wanted her.

Running into her at the bookstore the next morning felt like a twist of fate. I hadn’t expected to see her again so soon—if anything, I’d been hesitant about seeking her out in the first place. I couldn’t figure out where I stood with her, or where I wanted to stand.

I didn’t think she would kiss me again. It was incredibly hot seeing her take charge like that, and when she grabbed me by the shirt and claimed my lips with hers in front of the whole store, I knew that anything with Fallon was going to end terribly.

Fallon seemed a little relaxed standing next to me, but when I cleared my throat, she stiffened.

“Well, you look… comfortable,” I said with a smile. She turned to glare at me, but I still caught the slight smirk she was wearing.

“I was. I was trying to sleep.”

She was wearing a blue crop top and a white pair of underwear. Even though it was a chilly August night, inside my body could’ve been well over one hundred degrees. The way the sides of her underwear hugged her smooth legs, I could barely stand it. Someone help me…

“I see that.” I laughed. “You didn’t think to grab pants, at least? You’re going to freeze.”

She chuckled. “I was thinking that I didn’t want to go up in smoke if there really was a fire in the building. Are you complaining? If it bothers you that much, you don’t have to stand here, you know. There are plenty of other places you could go.”

I turned to face her. “Nope, I’m not complaining at all.” I winked.

“Good,” she replied, but then she got a cold chill and shivered.

I chuckled and put my blanket around her, shaking my head.

She tried to resist at first. “I’m fine,” she insisted while shrugging the blanket away.

I glared at her. “You’re not fine. You’re shivering.”

Her eyes sparkled and she smiled. “Okay,” she said, and I put the blanket back around her.

“Stop being so stubborn, Sunshine—it’s not a good look on you. But this?” I smirked, letting my gaze dip to the sliver of skin where her belly button peeked out before meeting her eyes again. “This is very nice.”

I tried not to let my thoughts drift lower, but I was failing miserably. My lips itched to find hers again.

Her cheeks turned a slight shade of pink. “Aren’t you a charmer?” She smirked.

We heard sirens blaring, and I was thankful we could go back inside soon. I hoped there wasn’t a real fire and that no one was hurt.

After what felt like hours, building management said it was all clear to go inside. They said there wasn’t a fire and someone probably pulled the alarm by mistake.

“See you around.” I smirked and started to walk back inside.

“Hey!” she yelled after me. “Take your blanket.”

I turned to face her and paused. “Keep it. I’m not cold.” I didn’t need her to know that I was, in fact, freezing my ass off.

She smiled before I turned to keep walking.

When we got back inside, I opened my door and she cleared her throat. “Hey, Mackenzie?” she said, standing at her door.

I turned to face her. “Yeah?”

She walked toward me, but stopped halfway. “Thank you for the blanket, and not standing somewhere else. You’re one of the only people I know here, so it was nice not to be alone or whatever.”

I snorted. “You’re welcome, or whatever. It would look bad if you died of hypothermia standing next to me. I’m sure the neighbors know we aren’t exactly best friends, so it wouldn’t be that difficult to pin your death on me.”

She rolled her eyes and smiled. “Yeah, well, anyway, thanks.” She reached out to hand me the blanket.

She frowned when I didn’t immediately take it. “Please take the damn blanket, Mackenzie.”

I should have. I really should have, but?—

“You can give it to me inside… over tea?” I said instead.

I didn’t know why I was inviting her in. It was a horrible idea, we both knew it.

“Oh.” She cleared her throat. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Mackenzie. I mean, it’s kind of late, and we really?—”

“It’s just a cup of tea. Unless you don’t like tea, then I can find something else.”

Her face was still, her expression blank.

She was right, it wasn’t a good idea, and the time wasn’t the only reason. That didn’t stop me from hoping she would say yes, though.

“It’s a peace offering, Fallon. I can leave the door open so you know I won’t murder you or anything crazy,” I added.

She grinned but didn’t say anything.

“Look, obviously you don’t have to. I just wanted to extend the invitation.”

“No, I know. I’m just…” She sighed. She was silent for a good while before she spoke again. “Okay, yeah, sure. Thanks.”

I smiled and motioned her inside.

“But just tea. Then you take your blanket and I leave. That’s it.”

I laughed, then planted a mock serious expression on my face. “Yes, Ma’am.”

“Please, sit down, make yourself comfortable.” I pointed to the couch once we got inside.

She sat down, and I went into the kitchen and started boiling the water. I took two water bottles from the fridge, walked over to the couch, and handed her one, sitting a few cushions away from her, making sure there was plenty of distance between us.

“Thanks,” she said.

“You’re welcome.”

She took a sip of her water and I watched her, completely mesmerized by the way her lips glistened after the water coated them.

Maybe it wasn’t the best idea, but I wasn’t ready to say goodbye.

She caught me looking and she blushed before I turned away.

I cleared my throat. “So, what an eventful night, huh?”

She laughed. “Yeah, I feel like it’s always like that when you’re around. It’s always something.” She sat stiff, like she was uncomfortable.

I couldn’t blame her. I hadn’t been the friendliest person to be around, and we were still essentially strangers, but that didn’t stop the sight from giving me a sharp pain in my chest.

“Well, that can be a good thing, though, right?”

She looked at me and grinned. “Sometimes.”

The tea kettle whistled, and I stood up. “I only have chamomile, is that okay?”

“Yeah, that’s fine, thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Sunshine.”

She rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t stop the smile that appeared on her lips.

While I made the tea, I just watched her. She still sat stiffly, but she was looking around, taking in her surroundings. I really hoped she didn’t think I was going to hurt her or anything. That was the last thing I wanted to do.

I walked over to the couch, and handed her a cup. “It’s hot, so please be careful.”

“Thank you.” She took the cup and sat it on the table.

I took my seat back on the couch. “So, tell me something about you,” I said.

Fallon was right, I didn’t know anything about her, but something was telling me I needed to.

She looked up with narrowed brows. “We don’t have to do this, Mackenzie. I can just drink the tea and leave.”

“Indulge me, please,” I replied, smiling.

She sighed. “Okay, what do you want to know?”

“Anything you want me to know. Like you’ve said, I don’t know you. Let me get to know you.”

She cleared her throat. “Well, let’s see, I just moved here a few months ago. I was living in Portland with my mom, stepdad, and little brother, Caleb. Before that I lived with an ex for a few years, but it didn’t work out, clearly.”

She took a sip of her tea and I just watched her, something I could’ve done all night.

The way she could sit there, bare-faced, hair a sleepy mess, in just a shirt and underwear, and still look like the most beautiful woman in the world—I would never understand it.

“Oh, I love to paint, and I love to ice skate. I've been doing it since I was little. I like arcade games, board games, any type of games, really, reading, and coffee. But other than that, I don’t know… I’m kind of boring, I guess.” She laughed.

“Not boring at all. I’m sorry it didn’t work out with your ex.”

“Thank you. That’s mainly why I moved here. To get away and have a fresh start, you know?”

I nodded. “Yeah, I get it. So, how do you like working at the bookstore?”

Her smile only grew. “Oh, I love it! Drea is my best friend, so it doesn’t really feel like work—except when she gets stressed. Then she turns into a crazy boss lady, but I can usually calm her down quickly. She’s been so busy with a book signing coming up, but I make her go out with me at least once a week to have fun and relax. The bookstore is my favorite place to be, even on my off days. I love getting wrapped up in another world, even if just for a little while.” Her eyes sparkled the entire time she talked about Drea and the bookstore.

I grinned, enjoying how animated she was becoming. “That’s really awesome, Fallon. I’m glad she has someone like you looking out for her, and I’m glad you have a space like that.”

She took the blanket off and adjusted herself on the couch. It felt good to see her getting a little bit more comfortable around me.

“So, tell me about you?” she said.

“Me? I’m boring. Probably more than you.”

“Bullshit. Even though you crashed my party, you’re hardly boring. Every time we’re together, there’s been some kind of excitement.”

I laughed. “Well, I work at the aquarium, and I’ve lived here my whole life. I also love ice skating, oddly enough. I used to take lessons as a kid, and I try to go at least a few times a year. I moved into this building two years ago after I went through a really messy breakup. I have a sister, Harper, who I have dinner with at least once a month. She’s the only family I have left. My mom passed away a few years ago.”

I didn’t know why I was telling her any of this. I didn’t talk about my family life. Ever. I hardly knew her, and yet…

There was something about her that was so warm and inviting. I felt like I wanted to tell her every thought I’d ever had.

She frowned. “Oh, I’m sorry. What about your dad?”

I shrugged. “He hasn’t been around since I came out. It’s just been me and Harper.”

She sat quiet for a moment. My fingers tingled at the memory of feeling her soft curls between them, the same red curls that were being twisted and wrapped around her own fingers as we sat together. “Will you tell me your coming out story?” she asked softly, as if she was afraid to voice her question.

“Like you said, we don’t need to do this, Fallon,” I said. “It’s not like we’re really friends or anything, right?”

She frowned. “Indulge me, please?”

“Are you sure? It’s not a pretty story.”

She set her cup down and scooted closer to me. “Tell me anyway.”

I inhaled deeply and took a drink of my tea, wishing it was something stronger. I put my mug down and finally looked at her.

“Well, right before my eighteenth birthday, I decided I would tell my parents. I had always known, even before then, that I liked women. I mean, have you seen them lately?” She laughed and lightly nudged my shoulder. I pushed past the heat from that touch.

“I didn’t want them to hear it from anyone else, but I wasn’t sure how they’d react. I wasn’t around a lot of queer people when I was younger, and I’d never heard my parents speak their opinions on it. I had no idea what would happen, but I knew I was their daughter, and I knew their love would have no limits.”

She stared at me for a minute, as if she knew where I was going with my story, but she didn’t. She wouldn’t have any idea where it was going.

“I came home from school one day, the rare day both my parents were home, and knew that would be the day. I was in love, or as in love as a young kid could be, and I wanted them to know. After we graduated, we wanted to get married. Her name was Alexis.”

I paused for a moment, gathering my thoughts. “Harper was in her room, visiting from law school. My parents and I weren’t particularly close. I knew they loved me, but they didn’t show it often. They were always busy with work. Both of them were lawyers. Well, my dad still is.” I went on as her eyes locked with mine and never left.

“I asked them if they could sit with me in the living room, that there was something I wanted to talk to them about. They were reluctant at first, busy with work, of course, but I insisted. I told them it was important and couldn’t wait. I sat them down and told them about Alexis. How I knew this wasn’t a phase, how I had known for a long time, and how we were in love and wanted to get married after graduation. Her parents loved me and were so welcoming of me into their lives.”

She took a sip of her tea. “And what did they say?” she asked.

“Well, my dad just sat there at first and said nothing. My mom looked at me, then at my dad. She took his hand and looked sad. For me or for him, I’m not sure. My mom was the first one to speak. She asked if I loved Alexis. I opened my mouth to tell her, yes, I really did, but my dad answered for me. ‘No, she doesn’t love her. You’re too young for love, too young to think these things.’”

She frowned, but I pushed on. “His voice got louder, and I noticed Harper sitting on the stairs behind them. I told them I was almost an adult, that I knew in my heart this was who I was, and that Alexis was the person I loved. My mom was trying not to shed tears, but my dad kept yelling. He kept saying, ‘It’s a mistake! I didn’t raise you like this! I didn’t give you and your sister everything just for you to grow up to be—’ My mom tried to cut him off, but he stood up, still shouting until…” I trailed off, looking down, ashamed to admit the truth.

Fallon put her hand on my leg. The warmth of her touch caused my breath to catch, and my head to tilt up to look at her. When I did, I couldn’t stop the tears in my eyes. “Until what?” she asked with a sympathetic expression.

I exhaled loudly. “Until he slapped me and said, ‘we did not raise you to be a fucking Dyke.’”

At this point, the tears wouldn’t stop, but I couldn’t look away from her. Her eyes were the only thing holding me together in that moment.

“Mackenzie…” Tears started forming behind her eyes, but I shook my head.

“Don’t cry for me, Fallon. I don’t deserve your sympathy.” It was true. I hadn’t done anything to deserve her kindness.

She frowned but didn’t push. “What happened after that? What did your mom do? Harper?”

“My mom was crying, but she didn’t say anything. What could she say? I was crying—not from sadness for disappointing my dad, but for the loss of him. I knew we couldn’t recover from this. He walked away, and I didn’t go after him. Harper was on the stairs, crying. No one could move. None of us knew what to do or where to go from there.”

“Mackenzie, I don’t even know what to say.” Fallon started caressing my thigh and in that moment, the memories of my past didn’t sting so bad.

“I didn’t see him after that, except at my mom’s funeral three years ago. We didn’t speak and he didn’t look at me. After he kicked me out, I moved in with Alexis and her family until I started college. Harper still refuses to talk to him. She said it was unforgivable, no matter how close they used to be. She wouldn’t talk to our mom for a long time. I didn’t blame my mom; she was married to him and couldn’t say much to change anything. But Harper, she just couldn’t let it go. The fact that our mom sat there and did nothing to defend me.”

She removed her hand from my leg, and I missed the reassuring warmth of her touch. “So after graduation, you and Alexis?”

I laughed. “Oh, no. I was the only one in love in that relationship. I went off to college and, well, here we are.”

“Yeah,” she said quietly. ”I’m sorry about your mom.”

“Thank you.” I smiled.

She looked down at her cup, looking sad, and I couldn’t help but wonder what was going on in her head.

“So, how’s the tea?” I asked, abruptly changing the subject.

She looked up at me. “Oh, um… it’s good, thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” I took a sip from my own cup.

She looked around my apartment. “Your place is really nice. Although, I was expecting more dark colors to match your soul.”

“You think my soul is dark? After I shared my blanket with you? The disrespect! I want it back.” I reached out my hand and she laughed. She gave me the blanket and I flung it over the couch.

“I’m teasing, just a little,” she said. “So, are you going to give me a tour before I go?”

That was unexpected. I raised an eyebrow. “You want a tour? Why, are you planning on casing the joint?”

She laughed. “Damn, you foiled my plans! You don’t have to, I’m just nosy.”

I chuckled. “It’s not much, but if you really want a tour, sure.” I stood up and offered her my hand. “Follow me.”

She took my hand and smiled back. I wanted to stay in that position for as long as possible—as long as I got to keep looking at that smile.

I pulled her close to me. “No funny business,” I whispered.

She let out a slight gasp. “Not a chance,” she whispered back and I grinned.

“Well, there’s the patio. Nothing fancy, yet.” I pointed to the patio doors.

It was a basic looking patio with two black metal mesh chairs that had tan cushions and a matching black metal table. There was a single bamboo plant in the corner in a white vase.

I let go of her hand, as I walked toward the window. “This is where all the magic happens,” I said, gesturing to the window. “This is my favorite area.”

The bay window had a white bench with a green-colored cushion, and gray pillows with white vertical stripes.

She laughed. “I thought your room would be your favorite area, since you ‘do well for yourself.’”

“Don’t be jealous.” I winked and gently brushed my shoulder against hers. She rolled her eyes.

“Seriously, though. I sit here every day, reading or just looking out the window. It brings me peace on the days my mind is loud,” I admitted.

“I love it,” she said looking out the window.

“And this is the kitchen, clearly.”

The kitchen stood directly across from the front door. A white marble-topped island sat in the center, surrounded by wooden cabinets and three bar stools. A removable gold backsplash accented the counters.

“I love this island,” she said as she slowly ran a hand across the top.

I gave her a devilish grin as an idea came into my head. “You can sit on it if you want.”

She glared at me. “You’re funny.”

“Don’t you have one?” I was sure every unit looked the same.

She shrugged. “Yeah, but it’s not this updated one. They haven’t had a chance to come in and change it yet.

“Oh, well, moving on… you’ve met the living room, the couch, blah blah. Down there is the bathroom and my room,” I said, pointing down the hallway. “It’s small, but it does the job.”

“Nice, nice.” She looked down the hall and nodded. Her gaze seemed to linger for a bit, before she turned away.

“Did you…” I sighed. “Did you want to see them?” I asked. I didn’t want her to think I had ulterior motives or anything, I was just trying to be a good hostess and give a proper tour.

She paused and turned around. “If you want me to see them, sure.”

I cleared my throat. “Right this way.” I gestured for her to lead the way down the hall. “Here is the bathroom.”

There was a walk-in shower with a sliding glass door, and a small rectangular cut out that I used as a shelf. I added a fresh Eucalyptus plant there as well. I read in an article somewhere that the scent would help with stress relief, which I really felt like I needed.

The shower had sleek black fixtures with a rainfall shower head. The sink was made of white marble, with black wooden doors beneath it. Above the sink hung a simple rectangular mirror. On the counter, a black cup held my toothbrush and toothpaste, along with pecan pie-scented hand soap. I loved the comforting scent of fall—it reminded me that the holidays were just around the corner.

“Wow, it’s beautiful,” she said, smiling. Fallon’s view on the world was exceptional to me. I’d never known someone who saw a basic apartment bathroom as beautiful.

I stopped when we reached my room. “And, this is my room.” I was nervous to show her, and I didn’t know why.

She hummed and grinned as she walked past me and into the room. “Oh. Okay, do come in,” I said with narrowed brows and a smile.

“It’s nice,” she said as she walked around.

Above my queen bed, a collection of Polaroid pictures hung on the wall. Some were candid shots of me and my sister, others with Harper and Grant, and a few with my friends, Rylee and Roxxy.

The bed sat in the center of the room, topped with black silk sheets and a black-and-white plaid comforter.

“I mean, yeah, it does the job,” I said, laughing.

She turned around and walked toward me, stopping in front of me where I stood at the door. “Thank you for the tour.”

“You’re welcome,” I replied.

Her fingers danced across my wrist as she cut the distance between us. “And thank you for lending me your blanket.” She brought her hands to my waist and rested them there, causing a slight hitch of my breath when she pulled us closer together.

“Fallon…” I tried to make it sound like a warning, but it came out in a hushed breath.

“And thank you for inviting me over and sharing your story with me. I know that couldn’t have been easy,” she said softly.

I placed my hand on her arm and pushed a hair behind her ear. “You’re welcome.” I cleared my throat and looked into her heated eyes. “Uh… no funny business, remember?”

“I’m very serious, Mackenzie,” she replied. Her eyes were dark and her breathing had become ragged.

“Fallon.” I brought my thumb up to sensually brush her bottom lip.

“Kiss me,” she whispered. “Please, Kenzie.”

I smiled, and my mouth crashed onto hers, settling there and getting comfortable. She moaned as I let out a gasp and pulled her closer, which proved to not be nearly close enough.

Our tongues were intertwined and dancing together. I felt a surge of heat through my body, a tingling all the way down to my throbbing, aching clit. It was begging for her after only a kiss.

She slid her hands from my waist, slowly moving up to my shoulders. Her nails grazed down my back, sending shivers through every part of me. I moaned, tilting my head back, and she took the invitation, pressing her lips against my neck.

My knees almost buckled at the sensation of her tongue licking the side of my neck, and I felt as if I could faint. I wanted to feel her tongue everywhere at once.

After a few seconds, she broke the kiss, and our eyes met. Her eyes were dark and heady, filled with so much need, and I could barely form a coherent thought when I looked into them.

“Fallon, what are we—” That’s all I could sputter out, and it wasn’t much longer before our lips met again. The first kiss was scared and timid. It was sensual and gentle. But the second one? It was hot, primal, and sexy. Our lips had a mind of their own, and it felt as if they needed to be fused together.

I led us into my room, our lips never parting. When we reached the edge of the bed, I paused, her gaze never leaving mine. She slipped my shirt off, and I followed, tossing hers somewhere in the room. I didn’t care where they landed. In that moment, nothing else mattered as I stood there, staring at her, unable to tear my eyes away.

“Fuck,” I moaned, a little louder than I meant to. She smiled sweetly and blushed.

“You,” I said, as if I was stunned—which, in a way, I was—but it was the only word I could find.

“Yes.” She laughed.

Her perfect pink nipples were pierced with simple gold bars that had little gold balls on both ends.

I am in so much trouble, holy hell.

“Oh my God, Sunshine. You are perfect.” I grabbed her face and kissed her hard.

I gently lay her back on the bed and settled beside her, never breaking the kiss. Her breaths came quicker as our lips parted, and she looked up at the ceiling, giving me the opportunity to trail my kisses down her neck. I was obsessed with feeling her skin under mine.

“Mackenzie.” She gasped. I grabbed her chin to turn her head slightly as I licked her throat, circling and flicking like it wasn’t her neck my tongue was on at all.

I started leaving a trail of kisses down her neck, but I kept going back up to those soft crimson lips. I placed a kiss on top of her chest, caressing gently with my hand and drawing circles around her left nipple.

“Fuck!” Her moans fueled my desire, and I came back up to kiss her lips once more.

“Mackenzie, I… Oh my God.” She moaned when I gently circled her nipple with my tongue. “I… I think we should stop.” She was breathless.

I stopped kissing her and looked at her. “Yeah?” I asked.

She nodded.

“Yeah, okay.” I reluctantly sat her up, handing her shirt back as I put on my own.

“I’m sorry, I just... I don’t think it would be a good idea,” she finally said, breaking the silence.

“Yeah, of course. I agree,” I replied with a ragged breath, not confident in my agreement.

“Trust me, it’s not that I don’t want to. I do, but I mean, we’re neighbors, Mackenzie.” She looked at me, both of us still trying to catch our breaths.

I looked at her, unable to grasp how we had gotten here. It was taking everything I had to not lay her on the bed again.

“Yeah, I know. And not that I’m complaining, like at all, but you started this, so why did you stop it?”

Her smile fell and her shoulders sagged. “I did start it. I don’t know why I did, I just… I needed… I wanted…” She shook her head, as if searching for exactly the right words to say. “I stopped because I knew if I didn’t, I would’ve gone a lot farther than I should’ve. I wouldn’t have wanted to stop, and I don’t think you would’ve either, but it would’ve been a mistake. I think we both know that.”

“Right. So, what happens now?”

“Well,” she started as she stood up and took my hand. “I’m going to go home.”

“And I’m going to force myself not to follow you,” I added with a small smile.

She kissed me on the cheek, and I wanted to beg her to change her mind. “Goodnight, Mackenzie,” she whispered as she turned around and headed toward the hallway.

I’m not sure what compelled my next words to come out. “Go out with me, Fallon,” I called after her. “Tomorrow.”

She paused at the bedroom door, slowly turning back around and looking at me nervously. “Like a date?”

I shook my head. “It doesn’t have to be, no. Just two people hanging out, doing an activity together, and enjoying each other’s company. No flowers, no end-of-the-night kiss. Just friends... if that’s what we are?”

“Friends.” She spoke the word as if it was the first time, testing how it felt on her lips. “I don’t know about that, but I won’t say no to a free activity.”

I laughed. “Oh no. It’s not a date, therefore, I’m not obligated to pay.” I winked.

“Always a charmer.” She laughed.

“Go on, you better get home.” I smiled, nodding toward her apartment.

“That sounds like a good idea.” She walked over to me and pressed our foreheads together. “I’m an idiot, aren’t I?” she whispered.

I caressed her cheek. “No, Fallon, you’re not an idiot. You’re thinking smarter than I am right now.”

She straightened up. “Right. Well, tomorrow, then?”

I nodded. “Tomorrow.”

She smiled before she turned around and walked out, and I didn’t stop her.

“I’m the idiot,” I mumbled. I heard my front door close, and I threw myself on the bed.

She was right, though. I wouldn’t have stopped us. If she would’ve let me, I would’ve taken her on that bed. I wanted to see those red curls sprawled across my silk sheets.

But it would’ve been a huge mistake. Still, there was a part of me that wanted to make that mistake.